Christina McLennan Diary, 1883
Title
Christina McLennan Diary, 1883
Creator
Christina McLennan
Source
Glengarry County Archives
Date
1883
Language
English
Coverage
19th Century, Glengarry County, Charlottenburg Township, Ontario
Date Created
March 2, 1883
Medium
Scanned Manuscript
Transcription
March 1883
| 2 | Jimie & I went to Lancaster. I took 5 doz eggs sold them at McCrimmon's for 25 cts per doz got 6 lb B. sugar 50 cts 6 lb G. sugar 50
1 lb starch 15 cts. lace 10 cts. [Bt.?] at McPhersons 1 bottle Luby 50 cts. 3 lemons lb candy & nuts 25 cts.to Jimie 25 cts to Murdy 10 cts Bird 10 Ran 10 cts all went to the social |
1.00 .25 .65 .70 .10 25. |
| 4 | Sabbath Sent by Murdy 25 cts for William for Presbyterian. Record | .25 |
| 5 | had a lamb this morning another in the evening | |
| 6 | Beginning to storm got 1/2 barrel of herring at Willie's $3'50 | 3.50 |
| 12 | I dont remember what happened since the 6th. But we had no minister but Sundy Assin yesterday. it is storming to-day and there is a greate lot of snow a sleigh full of folk left for Van Kleek Hill to attend the S. S. Convention. I washed, you can hardly see 1/2 mile the way it is storming |
March
| 13 | Wet as ever There is a man at Ottawa named Wigga who has prophesying a terrific snow storm to commence on "the 9th" of March and continue until "the 16th. | |
| 14 | Aboim paid Re, the rent of the Branch farm. $60. This is a fine day. The first for some time. | |
| 15 | snowed some and is drifting | |
| 16 | fine sunshine but not thawing | |
| 17 | St Patrick's morning fine but turned stormy about noon, Jimie & I went to Lancaster I had 7 1/2 doz eggs got $.1.50 At McCrimmon's Had cash $.87.00 Bot. 20 yds cotton 10 cts pr yd. 2.00. 7 yds cloth 70. cts = 4.90 5 yds lace 4 cts = 20. stationary 23 cts 5 lb G.sugar 10.50 2 lb currants 10=20 6 spools thread 25 1/2 1 lb rassins 10 2 pr pins 10 1 pair Rubbers 80 cts candy 10 Corn wisp 15 Far went to the Gore. Jimie Murdy & Birdie were at Aunties "spending" the evening | 6.90 .43 .70 .45 1.5 |
| 18 | I was in church today for the first time since January, the day is stormy I went to (Hepez bu?} and I called to see Widow Mclennan she is very unwell | |
| 19 | Jimie's birthday and very stormy | |
| 20 | I did not go to the Temperance Meeting last night it was so wild. I am not well today I am very bilious finished pants | |
| 21 | Still wild I was not at P. Meeting | |
| 22 | Ran went to school he was out for two weeks | |
| 23 | Annie came over and I spent an idle afternoon, it is nice day | |
| 24 | Peony had her first calf about 9 O'clock, this is a very fine day Far Marion and I went to the Gore. Far went to Cornwall we did not get home until 1 1/2 After 9 P.M. Furniss. paid Jimie $.2.00 for rent. Oranges 10 cts | 10 |
| 25 | Easter Sunday just a lovely day |
March 1883
| 25 | Pa went with me to Church Mr McGillvery went to Lunnenburgh to preach for Mr Lainy who is very ill. Elder gave us a little address & Landry Onian red and gave the hyms Mary McLennan was to church with us, the first time for her to be in the church since finished | |
| 26 | Washed to day it is thawing | |
| 2{7?}8 | My birthday. pretty cold, 1/2 lb tea | 30 |
| 29 | Far & I went to Lancaster Bt at MGillis 1 iron pot - 60. 1 {spider?} 50. 1 copper H. dish at McBain's 50 lbs owl meal at MCrimmans 10 lb tea 43 cts per lb 40 yds cotton $400 3 yds dress goods 20 2 lbs raisins 3 spools thread 12 cts 1 yd cambric 10 1 paid rubbers at Jacobs 32 weather is beautiful but cold | 1.70 1.60 4.30 4.60 .32 .60 |
| 30 | very fine sun shine but cold The roads good no thawing to speak of | |
| 31 | Murdy sold 3 doz (8 cts per doz = 54 cts at D. McDonalds got 1 pair rubbers for himself 1 for Marion |
| 1 | Sabbath very fine day but cold a number of parcels were put on the road and some people were run to pick the parcels up I did not go to church I was not well | |
| 2 | Quite a large Temperance meeting this evening a goodly number sighned the pledge shaming the rest They got up a petition to lay before the Licence Commissioners who sit on Wednesday 4 they to try to reduce the number of hotels in Whistler got 100 lb flour at Dunlop's | 325 |
| 3 | Far went to Montreal this morning to try to get situation sold 1 doz of eggs at Gadboe's got syrup I forgot to rite that Angus the Bailiff's house was burnt on Sunday 1st April they saved but little. Got at McGillis' Lancaster 5 ap pails | 3.25 |
| 4 | Very fine day look like spring no sugar made yet, that I hear of the fields are covered by snow |
April 1883
| 5 | Rain this morning Mrs J.J. Grant is going to The funeral of her brother James' wife who is to be buried in Martintown today. The snow will go pretty fast today Ran sold at H.A.'s 2 doz eggs 40 - bought 1 pair braces, 25 = left 15, rain all day | 25 |
| 6 | Bought 500 sap pails at Sullivans paid 7.25 sold 2 doz eggs. 36 cts. bough 1 pair braces for Murdy 25. syrup 26 cts it, raining all day until evening I have been sick with my head now for two days | 51 |
| 7 | It has snowed all day and was very disagreeable to two lb B drops Jimie went to Lancaster to meet Fergus he missed Farqr, who came up with John & Duncan Robertson. Jimie got one yd of dress goods 20 cts -= 6 powders & 4 {pails?} from Anderson 25 | 10 20 25 |
| 8 | Fine day I was not in Church Lucy had a bull calf this morning |
| 9 | Beautiful day I think the powders have done me some good I washed | |
| 10 | Fine day baking today
word came that Mr Arthur's & Raynde saw mill at Lancaster was burnt this morning it is a greate loss to the country and about 10.000 to the firm Got 1 pint of syrup from Dunce he has but 50 trees tapped Barretts daughter was married yesterday to Sandy John Marjory an 8 month widdower Duncan Blacksmith's daughter of Martintown was buried yesterday |
|
| 11 | Another fine day, water very high below the dam four feet of water over the road at Macill Martin's | |
| 12 | Sold 2 doz eggs got syrup The snow going fast - Pegun took the pails and pots on Wednes. |
April 1883
| {12 cont.} | Miss Monro sick at Aunties has a bad cold I went to see her at eventide |
| 13 | Beautiful day Far & Snider were out shooting S. got 1 duck Betsy had a calf this Morning. her second |
| 14 | Very fine day sold 4 doz eggs at J.A. 16.64 got 2 lbs rice 10 cts 1 1/4 yd elastic 6 = 16 =yd- 1 gall syrup from Pigen. got 1 gall before |
| 15 | Most lovely day very warm {70?} in the shade I was not in church I went in the afternoon to Mrs Grants I was not there for more than a year got 1 1/2 gall thin syrup {Doncs?} |
| 16 | It rained a little today I washed went at night to Temperance Meeting had a good meeting Mr McGillivray gave a reading Mr McDougald, {2nd?} Con, gave a recitation and Miss Foultin Miss McDonall, Miss Grant, Miss Plack & Mr C McDonald gave a dialogue |
| 17 | Baked. A fine day, all the snow off |
| 18 | Got about 2 galls of syrup from Peg yesterday. Lassie had a heifer |
| {18 cont.} | Calf she is in good health sold two calves to McBain got $4.00 for one, $2.00 for other got a letter from Far Robertson about an Organ. Jimie speared 13 pike Far 2. Ran 1. it was a good day |
| 19 | Snowing, began about 9 A.M. snow 4 P.M. there is about 7 inches, it looks like rain Dun heard that Mr Cameron School teacher died at Camerntown at the residence of his nephew John I think it was on the 17th he died |
| 20 | Fine day did not rain but the sun came out and the sap ran fine went on a little jaunt |
| 21 | Set a hen to hatch under the {trough?} The organ was shipped yesterday got some syrup from Pegon last night Got about 2 galls of syrup from Moor house very fine. The best that we got this spring |
April 1883
| 23 | Far. went to Montreal this morning Murdy went with him to Lancast. | |
| 26 | Got the Organ D. Robertson brough. it from Lancaster. I was in the Gore - Monday Jimie & I. Tuesday Murdy and I went to Uncle Mundy's | |
| 27 | Sold Lucy to Corbette for $.35.00. and two cal ves for $.3.00 | |
| 28 | Went to Lancaster at 5. P.M. And bought at W. McPhersons 14 yds cloth 65 cts = 9.10 3 1/4 Farmer satin= 88 2 yds silicia 23 -46. 2 1/3 doz buttons 32 2 yds print 25 3 yds wadding 4.12 1 pair booties for Jimie 3.45 1. " {gaiters?} for Murdy at Monro's 1.75 5=6 spools thread at M Crimmons 25 Sold at Gadboe's 8 doz eggs at 15 cts got 1 bottle B. B. Bitters 5.100 2 lamp chimney's 10 cts | 9.98 .78 .37 3.45 1.75 .25 = 16.58 1.00 .20 |
| 30 | Far came home Saturday evening and went off for {Forestry?} tonight I made him tow night shirts today |
| 1 | Fine day but cold east wind Pa got 3 shirts at Willie's 60. = 180 (undershirts) | 1.80 |
| 2 | Rain at 5 P.M. Lucy and calves were taken away at noon I was very bad with toothach last night and did not sleep. Sandy Dougald's wife was buried today in R.C. graveyard she is one of Auntie's converts There was a Mrs McRae buried at St Raphel yesterday 97 year old big Allen McRae's mother | |
| 3 | drizzle all day. Lewis was in | |
| 4 | had a letter from Far today. he was well I answered it right off And he will get it tomorrow night. | |
| 5 | Rain all day I baked and made a fruit cake, Bought 2 lbs |
May
| {6 cont.} | of sugar 1. lb raisins at D. MKesic = 30 cts Fine day I did not go to Church today I have not been in for four Sundays | 30 |
| 7 | Rain again I made a large washing 7 blankets 5 cloth quilts 12 pair pants. Paid Tom Hanan $4.00 | |
| 8 | Moved the bee house and put it near the creek fence by H.C. transplanted 3 grape vines I washed the week's washing today. | |
| 9 | Washed again today did not go to Prayer Meeting Jimie went to Lancaster and the clothes were not cut but he cut one pair of pants he got 1 flt{felt} hat | {?} |
| 11 | Had a letter from Farquh. Old John MMicle died last night Jimie & I went to the Gore and stayed until 10 O'clock P.M. |
| 12 | Very nice kind of day. I went to Auntie's she got her boat cost $.18.00, Holdsworth's son and Jimie rowed it down to Lancaster and Murdy joined them and rowed up to Williamstown it was bought at Dundee Mr Even McColl. Celtic Bard of Kingston came to see us he is travelling selling copys of poems written by his daughter. Mary J. MColl. | |
| 13 | MColl with us, very interesting. Jimie bought 5 yds cotton. 10 c 2 lbs raisins. 20 cts 5 lbs sugar at MCrimmons on Saturday | 50 70 |
| 14 | Mr MColl and Papa went out today sold 19. books in the village. To 1. lb raisins at Gadboes 15 c and 1 box of Matches 10 got a hat for Pa at McPhersons and paid 2.50 | 2.50 .25 |
May 1883
| 15 | Mt MColl left us today Mr MGilliavrey drove him to Lancaster he is going to Alexandria and then to Ottawa. I washed To 1 {q?} 20 cts, sent off Mail to Farquhar. | ||
| 16 | Frost every night Sunday night hard frost. I was at Prayer meeting and a nice meeting we had I went to Annie's to see Rebecca Monro, she is very ill going into {colroollis?} Mr MGilliavrey was to see her when I was thair
Jimie & Murdy went to Lancaster and got their coats and vests = $5.50 Bought at D. MKesick's a box of hair pins 8 cts |
8 | |
| 17 | Bought at D. MKesic 8 yds dress goods 20. and 1 1/4 yd lining for Birdie's 15 cts 1 quire paper 20 cts | 1.60 .19 |
| 18 | Rebecca Monro very poorly. Gave Jimie 10 cts for a big pickerel | |
| 19. | Sold 1 1/2 doz eggs = 20 cts got 1 lb rais 1 lb sugar 10 cts Pa and boys went fishing got about 2 doz of pan fish baked in oven | .10 |
| 20 | Did not go to church. Jimie went | |
| 21. | Rain this morning and cold. Yesterday was hot and misquitoes out by thousands Furnase Cash 4.00 | |
| 22. | Rained all night and all this day Sandy Marjory Paid. $2.00 had a letter from Farquher | |
| 23 | Rain again I was at Prayer Meeting | |
| 24 | Rained until afternoon then cleared up nicely. Some village boys were firing the cannon and after dark there were a number of fireballs thrown about 11 P.M. they put the cannon in Wellas' cellar. |
May 1883
| 28. | Temperance Meeting to night | |
| 29 | rain we will not get any seed in the ground this year | |
| 30. | Sent a letter to Farqueher I planted beans on Saturday | |
| 31. | John Donald McLennan from Thunder Bay was asking Jimie to go north with him. Mrs Vallie {By?} Cash $2.50 |
| 2 | Jimie went to Lancaster to see J. McLennan. And arranged to go to Thunder Bay. Jimie will go to Toronto on Monday Pa bought for Jimie 1 suit clothes 9. 1 pair pants. 3. 1 pair boots 3, 3 " socks 50 3 shirts 1.50 = 4.50 at Willie's 2 shirts 90m= 1.80 1 comb 1 spool linen thread 10. stationary 1 neck tie 25. 1 box of collers 15 1 boot brush 25 1 silk kerchief 1. {written diagonally across this E. {Spring sold?}} | 5.0 1.90 .30 .40 5 |
| 3 | I was in church today | |
| 4 | Aunty Kate sent Jimie 2/c yds of cloth and 1 pair socks on Saturday evening. I cut out a pair of pants and I finished them before 10 O'clock Jimie went off a little after ten | |
| 5 | Mrs Sam sheared our sheep. had a letter from F. | |
| 6 | very warm today rain |
June
| 6 | Gave Pegon over 10 bush potatoes/ I went to Lanc. to the woolen factory did not get my yarn it is last years wool | |
| 7 | Fine cool day. we are cutting potatoes for Donce. Our Sacreament is Sun | |
| 8 | Minister from Alexandria | |
| 9 | Mr Bennet Preached Mr Matherson has sacrement Farquher Down's horses ran away today and all were thrown out one little girl is badly hurt she is at Dr. Hunts | |
| 10 | Sabbath a fine day cool had rain last night Murdy took a hat from John A's Saturday cost | 1.25 |
| 11 | Temperance Meeting very good attendance McGill |
| {11 cont.} | going to London to the meeting of the Sinod. And then to Collingwood. | |
| 12 | I wrote to Farquher today and I think I did not date the letter. Washed wool 7 fleeces Lilly Ann McLennan & Donald Robertson were here in the evening | |
| 13 | Went to prayer Meeting. Sandy Ossen running things | |
| 16 | Murdy & I went to Lancaster, bought at McCrimmons 2 pair boots for Marion & I mine 60 cts hers. 75 cts. 3 yds cotton 10. 30. 7 yds Regetta shirt 3 spools thread 12, At McPhers. 6 1/2 cloth 1.00 = 6.50 F. {Farners} satin 1 1/2 yds 38 1 1/2 canvis. 23 cts 2 yds sleeve lining 40 2 yds twist - 10 cts 1 Linen {S.l.?} 10. 1 cotton 4 1 yd silicia 25. 3 yds wadding 12 buttons 19 cts At McGillis 3 1/2 lbs of {leath.?} | 1.35 1.21 .12 6.88 .63 .24 .37 1.00 |
June 1883
| 17 | I did not go to church neither did Pa it is very hot | |
| 18. | Washing. it is raining | |
| 19 | Got a letter from Farq & Jimie. I wrote Jimie this evening he will get it by Saturday. he is at Port Albert, formerly Prince Alberts Landing. Thunder Bay. | |
| 20. | Was at Prayer Meeting Sandy Ossen is the Curate I saw in the Witness an account of a Calamity happening in Victoria Hall Sunderland England in which 197 children were killed it was a Sabbath School entertainment on Yesterday 16 June it will be remembered in England for years |
| 21. | Pa and I went to Lancast to get Murdy's pants from P. ONael. Pa got a jewel in his watch 50 Sold 3 1/2 doz eggs at Dell McKeze got 1 chip hat for Ran 2 doz pant-buttons. 6. 28 cts due me | .50 .25 .6 |
| 22. | Making Murdy's pants | |
| 23 | Made a shirt for Murdy | |
| 25 | " a night " " " Murdy got his coat & vest on Saturday. $2.50 or Making {written diagonally across this} 2 pr socks = 20 cts for Murdy (25th) | 2.50 |
| 26 | Pa took Murdy to Cornwall he will be there untill Friday night. Pa got home about 7 O'clock P.M. he remained the afternoon at Duncan McLellans Sent my due bill to McKesick got sugar I worked in garden | 28 |
| 27 | churned washed & sprained |
June 1883
| 27 | my foot going out of the cook house and I am limping had a letter from Jimie | |
| 29 | Pa went to the funeral of Alick Campbell's wife in the Tw. of Lancaster
had a letter from Far Ran. had one from Cousin Alick I can limp a little I was very bad last evening with tooth ache sold 1/2 bush buckwhe yesterday for 25 cts |
|
| 30 | I am not fit to walk yet I had a letter from Far yesterday and Ran had one from Cousin Alick Murdy came home last evening and is tired Alick {Storf?} paid $.2.00 rent. |
| 1 | As Dominion day is on Sunday Monday will be observed as a holy day | |
| 2 | Grand Lacross games at Lancaster today between Montreal Athletics & Lancaster The latter won, Murdy & Ran were down | |
| 3 | Quite a storm last night thunder & lightening A block of houses burnt at lower Lancaster Archy McArthur McCrimm & Wood had their houses burnt supposed to be from lightening Ran sold 4 doz eggs 15 cts = 60. got 1 pair boots $.1.10 . And he went to a party at the Manse. Leaches are going away tomorrow. | 1.10 |
July 1883
| 4 | Ran sent a letter to cousin Alick We got some {wheat?} and buckwheat ground at Monroe Mills Pegon went out with his grist and took our Yesterday |
| 5 | Pa & Murdy went to Monro's Mill this forenoon to buy shingles he pays $2.75 per M. & 20 cts per bunch to Parrow for drawing them this is a beautiful day sun and wind it rained and thundered yesterda. |
| 7 | Pa Murdy & Ran picking daisys at Donc's, this fore noon there was a Storm of rain and wind about noon. the worse of the {?} Marion sold 2 doz eggs got 3 lbs sugr |
| 8 | fine cool day A Mr Campbell preached today in The stone church |
| 9 | Commenced Birdie's dress will try to make it for the social Friday |
| 10 | Circus in Lancaster McGillive came home |
| 11 | had a letter from Jimie and sent him one and one to Farquh |
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Citation
Christina McLennan, “Christina McLennan Diary, 1883,” Rural Diary Archive, accessed April 26, 2026, https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/items/show/463.
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- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 18.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 19.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 20.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 21.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 22.pdf
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- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 25.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 26.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 27.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 28.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 29.pdf
- Christina McLennan 1883 Diary 30.pdf
